2012: Tribune Year in Review

The Town of Niagara celebrated its 200th birthday all year with numerous special events, including a concert with "Elvis" last summer. (photo by Marc Carpenter)

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Local
leaders reflect on 2012, look forward to 2013

by
Susan Mikula Campbell

Local
government and education leaders in the Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune
circulation area were contacted to find out their opinions on
happenings, both good and bad, in their areas for 2012 and what is
ahead for 2013.

Included
were Wheatfield Supervisor Bob Cliffe, Town of Niagara Supervisor
Steve Richards, Niagara County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross and
Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education President Steven Sabo.

Wheatfield
Supervisor Bob Cliffe

What
were the most positive things that happened in your town this year?

"Financially,
the town had a very good year. We had another year that will add to
our fund balances, while reducing taxes and taking another large
reduction in long term debt.

"The
recycling program had a major change for the better, which will show
as reduced taxes for many years to come.

"We
accomplished two major maintenance programs this year with the David
Drive ditch project, and the North Tonawanda outfalls project.

"We
received notification of approximately $1.1 million for the River
Road bike path. Recreation programs, especially the baseball and
cheerleading programs have been extremely successful.

"The
SPCA, located in Wheatfield, has taken great strides forward in
improving services, upgrading adoptions and lessening euthanasia."

What
were the biggest problems?

"The
challenges facing Niagara-Wheatfield students and staff are a great
concern to all Wheatfield residents.

"(The)
national economy has hurt many Wheatfield homeowners and residents.
I'm trusting that this will continue on a slow path of
improvement."

What's
in store for 2013?

"We
are looking for some major improvements with Wheatfield parks. There
will be upgrades starting at Fairmount Park, work on some new ball
fields at Mario Park, and River Road Park may get started this coming
year.

"We
are working with the SPCA and the Town of Niagara to hopefully
develop a "Paw Park" at the SPCA campus.

"I'm
anticipating major improvements in ditch cleaning as Art Kroening
(highway superintendent) begins his five-year plan to clean all major
ditches."

"I
am looking forward to an improving economy nationally and in Western
New York, as I firmly believe that with good jobs comes good lives.
Toward this end, we'll see the Air and Space Museum move into the
Niagara Falls International Airport building. I'm also hoping to
see The Summit mall become vibrant again, as well as seeing
continuing development of the Niagara Falls Boulevard corridor."

Do
you have a New Year's resolution for 2013?

"Wheatfield
remains the best place in Western New York to raise your family.
We'll keep working very hard to keep it that way."

Town
of Niagara Supervisor Steve Richards

What
were the most positive things that happened in your town this year?

"The
most positive thing for me in 2012 was to have the opportunity to be
the town supervisor during our 200th anniversary year celebration. I
was amazed by the hard work and dedication of the town's
bicentennial committee and the countless volunteers. Without their
help, none of the celebrations would have taken place. I must
congratulate our Town Clerk Sylvia Virtuoso, who made it a year to
remember.

"The
dedication of our cannon at Six Corners was another great event, and
a special thanks goes out to all the local companies who donated
their time and materials to make all of it possible without any cost
to the taxpayers. Special thanks also to Gary Strenkoski and his
parade committee for a great parade, in fact, two great parades.

"I
think the residents of the next 200 years will be very proud of the
work done in the first 200 years of the Town of Niagara.

"This
year, I'm also proud of a tax cut of almost 10 percent to our
residents, and I have to praise councilmen Dan Sklarski and Charles
Teixeira for their support in accomplishing it."

What
were the biggest problems?

"The
biggest problem faced by me this year was dissension on the Town
Board. It amazes me how much one individual can disrupt the whole
town by making false accusations. I can only hope that the individual
concentrates on doing some good for the town and stops his personal
attacks against me and my family."

What's
in store for 2013?

"I'm
looking forward to 2013 to be a very good year. We have some major
projects coming forward that will include a couple more stores and
restaurants that people have been requesting.

"The
town is expected to assume ownership of the former U.S. Army Reserve
Center on Porter Road, and many developers both local and national
have expressed a keen interest in it. The redevelopment of the
property should bring some much-needed jobs to our town. I am also
looking forward to the implementation of my five-year road plan to
repave most of the town roads. I'm hoping to complete the roads
before I retire in 2020."

Do
you have a New Year's resolution for 2013?

"My
personal New Year's resolution for 2013 is to work hard to overcome
the antics of one immature individual on the Town Board and to keep
the town moving forward. We don't need to go back to the days of
'government with a heart' and the bickering Town Board."

Niagara
County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross

What
were the most positive things that happened in Niagara County this
year?

"The
most positive event for the Niagara County Legislature in 2012 was
the grand opening of the Niagara County Community College's Niagara
Falls Culinary Institute on Sept. 28. The Niagara County Legislature
is the main sponsor of NCCC. The Culinary Institute opened as the new
home to the college's hospitality and tourism programs which will
eventually hold up to 1,000 students and faculty.

What
were the biggest problems?

"The
Niagara County Legislature complied with the 2011 New York state 2
percent property tax law in 2012 and will again in 2013 be under to 2
percent tax cap. It was not easy to meet the 2 percent property tax
limit because of the A.E.S. coal burning energy plant in the Town of
Somerset. The plant is back on line producing energy, but the new
agreement will eventually reduce the A.E.S. county property tax
dollars from $5 million to $1.4 million.

"The
greatest problem facing all of the counties in New York state is the
scores of unfunded mandates that hang around county necks like an
anchor on a drowning man.

"The
state government in Albany should remove many mandates from the backs
of local property taxpayers. The list of possible mandates is long
and should include Medicaid, youth detention, child welfare,
probation, indigent defense, preschool, ever increasing pension
contributions and public assistance.

"I
am not calling these mandates unworthy of public support, but the
cost is too high, especially in Western New York where the loss of
manufacturing jobs has eroded the tax base and left fewer county
property taxpayers to carry the cost. The New York State Legislature
can reduce property (taxes) by following an easy to read map of
mandate relief."

What's
in store for 2013?

2013
will be a difficult fiscal year for almost all counties in New York
state. Niagara County government hopes for a continued growth in
sales tax, more economic development in residential and commercial
construction, new companies locating in Niagara County to grow the
tax base and county government looking for more consolidation and
shared services."

Do
you have a New Year's resolution for 2013?

"My
resolution is to become a government leader (who) will put the 'bi'
before the word partisan, be more flexible and open to compromise,
maintain (decorum) in all county government meetings and be open to
the county public at all times."

Niagara-Wheatfield
Board of Education President Steven Sabo

What
were the most positive things that happened in the Niagara-Wheatfield
School District this year?

"There
are many positive things which happened in Niagara-Wheatfield this
year.

"First
and foremost, the district welcomed the arrival of James Knowles as
interim superintendent. In just his first four months here, he has
been able to unite the faculty and foster a positive working
environment for all of the hard-working members of the
Niagara-Wheatfield faculty and staff. He also created a stronger and
more effective learning environment for the many students of the N-W
school district. He has healed a district torn apart by a leadership
team that didn't fit the district. I am proud to say that the
district is back on track to returning to the fantastic learning
institution built by Dr. Howard during her tenure here.

"There
have also been so many success stories both academically and extra
curricularly. We have had many students achieve academic awards for
their high grades and many students recognized at the national level
for their musical talent."

What
were the biggest problems faced in N-W this year?

"The
two biggest problems which N-W faced this past year were the fiscal
nightmare created by the previous administration and the district,
and negativism, which that same administration created in the
schools. I am proud to say that through the volunteer efforts of
community members on the audit committee, we have established
controls to make sure the fiscal disaster that the former
administration created never happens again."

What's
in store for 2013?

"Niagara-Wheatfield
will continue to produce some of the best students in Niagara County
while working with a bare bones administrative staff and a fantastic
group of educators and support staff. Unfortunately, we are going
into this budget year with no more help from the state on the horizon
and no fund balance."

What's
your New Year's resolution for 2013?

"I
don't believe in them. I have always felt that if something is
worth doing, it needs to be done right away. Why wait for an
arbitrary date to start doing what must be done."